걱정이 태산이다.
geokjeongi taesanida.
Worries are immense.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this phrase when you feel completely overwhelmed by a massive amount of stress or anxiety.
- Means: To have an immense, overwhelming amount of worries (max 15 words)
- Used in: Exams, financial stress, or major life changes (max 15 words)
- Don't confuse: It's for big worries, not minor inconveniences (max 15 words)
Explanation at your level:
Signification
Describes a situation where one has an overwhelming amount of worries or concerns.
Contexte culturel
In Korea, expressing worry is often a social bonding mechanism. By saying your worries are a mountain, you invite others to offer encouragement or help, reinforcing social ties. The reference to Mount Taishan ({태산|泰山}) shows the deep influence of Chinese geography and philosophy on Korean idioms. It represents the 'ultimate' or 'heaviest' thing in the world. In the high-pressure 'Pali-pali' (hurry-hurry) culture of Korea, this phrase is a standard way to signal that a team is over capacity without sounding like they are quitting. Korean parents are known for 'K-worry.' Even if a child is successful, a parent's '걱정' is always '태산' because of the competitive nature of society.
Use with '때문에'
Pair this with '때문에' (because of) to explain the source of your worry: '[Noun] 때문에 걱정이 태산이에요.'
Don't overdo it
If you use this for every small thing, people will think you are a '걱정 인형' (worry doll). Save it for the big stuff!
Signification
Describes a situation where one has an overwhelming amount of worries or concerns.
Use with '때문에'
Pair this with '때문에' (because of) to explain the source of your worry: '[Noun] 때문에 걱정이 태산이에요.'
Don't overdo it
If you use this for every small thing, people will think you are a '걱정 인형' (worry doll). Save it for the big stuff!
Honorifics matter
When talking about a boss or parent, always use '태산이세요' or '태산이십니다' to show respect.
Writing vs Speaking
In writing, you can use '태산과 같다' for a more poetic feel.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.
내일이 중요한 시험인데 공부를 하나도 안 해서 걱정이 ( ).
The sentence needs a polite ending (-어/아요) and the correct noun-copula form.
Which situation is MOST appropriate for using '걱정이 태산이다'?
어떤 상황에서 이 표현을 쓸까요?
The phrase is for serious, overwhelming worries like a company facing bankruptcy.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
가: 이번 프로젝트 마감일까지 끝낼 수 있을까요? 나: 글쎄요, 일이 너무 많아서 ( ).
The speaker is expressing concern about a heavy workload.
Match the person to their '태산'-sized worry.
Match: 1. 취준생(Job seeker), 2. 예비 신부(Bride-to-be), 3. 수험생(Examinee)
These are the typical life stressors associated with this phrase.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Taesan vs. Other Mountains
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsYes, it is Mount Taishan in China. It's famous for being huge and majestic.
No, it is strictly for worries or concerns.
'태산이다' is more direct ('is a mountain'), while '태산 같다' is a simile ('is like a mountain'). Both are used interchangeably.
It is neutral. You can use it in formal settings with the right ending (-습니다).
No, that's not a standard idiom. For joy, we usually say '기쁨이 넘치다' (joy overflows).
You can say '걱정이 전혀 없어요' or '무사태평이에요'.
Yes, if you are asked about a challenge you faced and how you felt at the time.
Yes, e.g., '그 사람은 걱정이 태산인 것 같아요.'
It means a huge pile, like a mountain of things.
No, it's a traditional idiom that is still very common today.
No, it's only for the 'weight' of worries.
Because Korea is 70% mountainous, mountains are the most familiar symbol of scale and challenge.
Yes, it's very common in KakaoTalk.
Not necessarily, but it does imply that the situation is very difficult.
Expressions liées
산 넘어 산
similarOne mountain after another.
걱정도 팔자다
contrastWorrying is your destiny.
기우
specialized formUnnecessary worry.
설상가상
builds onSnow on top of frost.
Où l'utiliser
Job Interview
A: 내일 대기업 면접이라면서요? 준비 잘 됐어요?
B: 아니요, 너무 떨려서 걱정이 태산이에요.
Wedding Planning
Friend: 결혼 준비는 잘 돼가?
Bride: 예약할 게 너무 많아서 진짜 걱정이 태산이야.
Financial Stress
Husband: 이번 달 카드값이 너무 많이 나왔네.
Wife: 그러게나 말이에요. 다음 달 생활비 걱정이 태산이에요.
Exam Season
Student 1: 너 이번 기말고사 공부 다 했어?
Student 2: 전혀. 범위가 너무 넓어서 걱정이 태산이야.
Health Concerns
Doctor: 검사 결과는 내일 나옵니다.
Patient: 네, 혹시 큰 병일까 봐 걱정이 태산입니다.
Moving Abroad
Neighbor: 다음 주에 미국 가신다면서요?
Traveler: 네, 영어도 못 하고 아는 사람도 없어서 걱정이 태산이에요.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Tae' as 'Titanic' (huge) and 'San' as 'Mountain'. A Titanic Mountain of worries!
Visual Association
Imagine yourself standing at the foot of a massive, dark mountain made entirely of sticky notes, each with a problem written on it. The mountain is so high it touches the clouds.
Rhyme
걱정이 태산, 마음은 답답 (Gokjeongi Taesan, maeumeun dapdap) - Worries are a mountain, my heart is frustrated.
Story
You are trying to walk home, but suddenly a giant mountain (Taesan) appears in the middle of the road. You can't climb it, and you can't go around it. This mountain is made of your upcoming exams and bills. You stand there saying, 'Gokjeongi Taesan-ida!'
Word Web
Défi
Write down three things you are currently stressed about. Then, say out loud: '[Thing 1], [Thing 2], [Thing 3] 때문에 걱정이 태산이에요.'
In Other Languages
Tener un mar de dudas / Estar cargado de preocupaciones
The Spanish 'mar' often implies confusion, while the Korean '태산' implies a heavy burden.
Se faire une montagne de quelque chose
French implies overreaction; Korean implies genuine scale.
Ein Berg von Sorgen haben
The German version is slightly less idiomatic/fixed than the Korean 'Taesan' reference.
心配가 山積みだ (Shinpai ga yamazumi da)
Japanese focuses on the 'piling' action, while Korean focuses on the 'mountain' as a single entity.
هموم كالجبال (Humum kal-jibal)
Arabic often uses it in a more poetic or dramatic sense.
愁如泰山 (Chóu rú Tàishān)
In modern Mandarin, other idioms like '忧心忡忡' are more common for 'worry,' while the Taesan reference is more literary.
A mountain of worries / Worried sick
English rarely says 'My worry IS a mountain' directly; it usually says 'I HAVE a mountain of worries.'
Estar com a cabeça cheia de preocupações
Focuses on the internal state (head) rather than external scale (mountain).
Easily Confused
Learners think it only applies to physical objects like laundry.
It can be used for both physical piles and abstract worries, just like 태산.
Learners might use this to mean 'very worried'.
This is usually used for 'grace' (은혜) or 'duty' (의무), not worry.
FAQ (14)
Yes, it is Mount Taishan in China. It's famous for being huge and majestic.
No, it is strictly for worries or concerns.
'태산이다' is more direct ('is a mountain'), while '태산 같다' is a simile ('is like a mountain'). Both are used interchangeably.
It is neutral. You can use it in formal settings with the right ending (-습니다).
No, that's not a standard idiom. For joy, we usually say '기쁨이 넘치다' (joy overflows).
You can say '걱정이 전혀 없어요' or '무사태평이에요'.
Yes, if you are asked about a challenge you faced and how you felt at the time.
Yes, e.g., '그 사람은 걱정이 태산인 것 같아요.'
It means a huge pile, like a mountain of things.
No, it's a traditional idiom that is still very common today.
No, it's only for the 'weight' of worries.
Because Korea is 70% mountainous, mountains are the most familiar symbol of scale and challenge.
Yes, it's very common in KakaoTalk.
Not necessarily, but it does imply that the situation is very difficult.
